Therapeutic cushion systems and methods

Abstract

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a therapeutic cushion including a body support portion, a head support portion and a back support portion. The body support portion has a first end portion and a second end portion and a top surface disposed at an angle relative to a bottom surface. The second end portion has a height greater than a height of the first end portion. The body support portion and the head support portion collectively define a receiving portion configured to receive a user's arm therein and is asymmetric relative to a centerline of the apparatus. The back support is disposed on a portion of the top surface of the body support portion. The back support is configured to maintain the user in a side position on the therapeutic cushion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a cushion including a body support portion, a head support portion and a back support portion,   the body support portion has a first end portion and a second end portion and a top surface disposed at an angle relative to a bottom surface, the second end portion has a height greater than a height of the first end portion,   the body support portion and the head support portion collectively defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a user's arm therein, the receiving portion being asymmetric relative to a centerline of the apparatus and being bounded entirely about a perimeter of the receiving portion by at least a portion of the body support portion and a portion of the head support portion,   the back support disposed on a portion of the top surface of the body support portion and configured to maintain the user in a side position on the cushion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body support portion and the head support portion collectively define a relief cavity, the relief cavity being open to or in fluid communication with the receiving portion and can receive a portion of a user's arm and/or hand therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back support portion is formed integrally with the body support portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back support portion is fixedly coupled to the body support portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion has an asymmetric shape in a top view and includes a substantially linear first side edge extending along the body support portion and the head support portion, and a second side edge, opposite the first side edge, that includes a curved portion proximate the head support portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion extends from a centerline of the cushion outward asymmetrically in left and right lateral directions, such that a portion of the receiving portion on a right side of the centerline of the cushion has a different shape and extent than a portion of the receiving portion on a left side of the centerline of the cushion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion includes a first portion on a first side of a centerline of the cushion and a second portion on an opposite, second side of the centerline of the cushion, the first portion having an interior volume greater than the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the receiving portion includes a first portion on a first side of a centerline of the cushion and a second portion on an opposite, second side of the centerline of the cushion, the first portion having an interior volume greater than the second portion,
 the first portion of the receiving portion being disposed on a side of the centerline of the cushion corresponding with the second side edge of the cushion.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head support portion is formed integrally with the body support portion. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a cushion including a body support portion, a head support portion and a back support portion,   the body support portion has a first end portion and a second end portion and a top surface disposed at an angle relative to a bottom surface, the second end portion has a height greater than a height of the first end portion,   the body support portion and the head support portion collectively defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a user's arm therein,   the cushion having an asymmetric shape in a top view that includes a substantially linear first side edge extending along the body support portion and the head support portion, and a second side edge, opposite the first side edge, that includes a curved portion proximate the head support portion,   the back support disposed on a portion of the top surface of the body support portion and configured to maintain the user in a side position on the cushion.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the body support portion and the head support portion collectively define a relief cavity, the relief cavity being open to or in fluid communication with the receiving portion and can receive a portion of a user's arm and/or hand therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the back support portion is formed integrally with the body support portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the back support portion is fixedly coupled to the body support portion. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving portion extends from the centerline of the cushion outward asymmetrically in left and right lateral directions, such that a portion of the receiving portion on a right side of the centerline of the cushion has a different shape and extent than a portion of the receiving portion on a left side of the centerline of the cushion. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving portion includes a first portion on a first side of a centerline of the cushion and a second portion on an opposite, second side of the centerline of the cushion, the first portion having an interior volume greater than the second portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the receiving portion is disposed on a side of the centerline of the cushion corresponding with the second side edge of the cushion. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 disposing a cushion on a top surface of a support surface, the cushion including a body support portion, a head support portion and a back support portion, the body support portion and the head support portion collectively defining a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a user's arm therein, the back support disposed on a portion of the top surface of the body support portion and configured to maintain the user in a side position on the cushion,   instructing a user to lie on the cushion in a side position with at least a portion of the user's arm disposed in the receiving portion and the user's back disposed against the back support portion or placing the user on the cushion in a side position with at least a portion of the user's arm disposed in the receiving portion and the user's back disposed against the back support portion,   after the user is disposed on the cushion, performing an endoscopy procedure on the user.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the disposing a cushion on a top surface of a support surface includes disposing the cushion on a top surface of a surgical table. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cushion defines a relief cavity in fluid communication with the receiving portion, the method further comprising:
 instructing the user to place the user's hand at least partially through the relief cavity of the cushion or placing the user's hand at least partially through the relief cavity of the cushion.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the receiving portion includes a first portion on a first side of a centerline of the cushion and a second portion on an opposite, second side of the centerline of the cushion, the first portion having an interior volume greater than the second portion, the relief cavity being disposed proximate the first portion of the receiving portion. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the receiving portion is asymmetric relative to a centerline of the apparatus.